Brett Lee, Candidate for Davis City Council 2012
Presentation and talk before the PBE on April 4, 2012
150th Meeting of the PBE

The Second Speaker was Brett Lee, who also had many friends in the room
and is also running for Davis City Council. Brett stated that much of
his thoughts are mirrored in what Lucas said in the previous 10 minutes.
Brett believes that the City of Davis needs a change to survive the
current economic atmosphere and to survive the coming years of dwindling
natural resources, like water and energy. He states that he has good
solid ideas, like any one else. But, he stated that it is impossible to
be all things to all people. He stated that he would approach planning
for the City of Davis by concentrating on what he calls The Big Five.
These would be the real challenges for the future of Davis. One of
these is the Budget. He stated we need to find a way to deal with City
of Davis employee benefits, which will eat up more and more of the city
budget with each passing year. He stated examples of how other cities
are dealing with this issue and stated that we need to learn lessons
from how these other cities are dealing with this problem. He stated
that we need to build a budget upon available funds, not on what someone
says the City of Davis plans to have in the future. In summary, Brett
stated that we must adhere to a realistic and affordable city government
and not travel the unsustainable road that we currently are on.

Brett then talked about development and how he is not excited about the
City of Davis selling off to develop, the open field near City Hall. He
feels this is very short sighted. Selling of that open space decreases
the quality of life for those that live in the Davis core area around
the open space. There are many reasons why it costs $100,000 more for a
house in Davis than for a similar sized house in say, Woodland. Because
of the environment and the amenities, people want to live in Davis.
But, if we do not deal with the budget, all those things that make Davis
what it is are going to be eaten away, little by little and we are in
danger of losing this unique community. Brett stated the example of the
city parks and how funding continually gets cut and how we are closing
pools around town, something that many took for granted as kids in Davis
during the long hot summers. Brett sees the need for more Senior
housing in Davis as the population of Davis shifts to an older
population of retirees. Brett stated that he is against peripheral
development. He stated that any such development must be community
driven, not developer driven and that such development and growth should
pay for itself and not add to the City’s cost burden. Brett spoke on
how some cities grow "to grow out of their financial problems." Davis
should not do this. Brett believes that we need a compact city and it
is essential to the future to Davis to grow up, not outward.

Brett stated that the City of Davis needs to provide more economic
growth opportunities. To keep Davis what it is, we need a vibrant local
economy. And to this end, we must promote business friendly approaches
that are in character with our community values and that benefit our
community by providing jobs and local revenue.

Brett stated that from the age of 5, he would live in Davis during each
summer with his Grandparents. He lived and enjoyed the ideal life in
Davis, taking advantage and experiencing the parks, the pools, the bike
paths, the small town-local market atmosphere. He knows what the City
of Davis has been to the people that grow up here. In conclusion, Brett
stated that people should choose to shop and buy locally as much as they
can to support the local businesses.